Somalia: Pirates seize commercial cargo ship

A commercial cargo ship was taken by pirates off the coast of Somalia on Monday, according to international monitoring agencies. UK Maritime Trade Operations and the EU Maritime Security Center Indian Ocean both issued warnings that the vessel was boarded by eight armed individuals in the Horn of Africa region. UKMTO advised other ships to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity, while MSCIO stated that the crew was safe at the time of the report.

Piracy in the Horn of Africa had been on the decline since the 2000s, peaking around 2011; however, there has been a recent increase in activity in 2026, with several ships, including three tankers carrying fertilizer and oil and a chemical tanker off the coast of Yemen, being seized by pirates. All four vessels are currently held off the Somali coast.

The resurgence of piracy in the region adds to the challenges faced by international shippers, who must navigate the Middle East, avoid the contested Strait of Hormuz, and contend with Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.